Goalie Roulette: Will Kuemper hit the open market after Cup run with Avs? (maple leafs)

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Goalie Roulette: Will Kuemper hit the open market after Cup run with Avs?

By Mike Augello

Jun 18, 2022 • 11:41 am

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Between now and the NHL Draft, there are a number of factors that could affect the direction that the Toronto Maple Leafs take in regards to the club for next season. Arguably the most important decision is between the pipes, where the club appears to be ready to move on from Jack Campbell (based on his rumored price tag as an unrestricted free agent) and the speculation that GM Kyle Dubas will look to either trade or buyout Petr Mrazek one year into his three-year, $11.4 million deal.

TSN’s Chris Johnston recently speculated that the Leafs could be interested in two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray, possibly after being bought out by Ottawa or in a trade if the Sens retained salary or took back a contract like Mrazek in the deal. Last week, Sportsnet’s Nick Alberga reported that Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson had informed the club that he would be open to being dealt, although his agent Kurt Overhardt pushed back on this report.

Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov, unrestricted free agent Ville Husso, three-time Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury, and former Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky could be options, and the availability of another prominent UFA may depend on the outcome of the Stanley Cup Final.

Colorado traded a 2022 first-round pick and prospect Conor Timmins to Arizona for the 32-year-old, and he performed up to expectations, putting up a 37-12-4 record, 2.54 GAA and .921 save percentage. Kuemper suffered an eye injury in the opening round against Nashville and missed time in the Western Conference Final, but returned in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday.

With Colorado having a number of unrestricted free agents this summer and a new contract for Nathan MacKinnon needed after next season, signing Kuemper to a long-term deal is something that Colorado may be hesitant to do. Because of his age, it is probable that the term on any deal would be short (three years max), which might fit Toronto better than the rumored ask on Campbell (four or five years), but this is all contingent on the Avs not going all out to re-sign him.

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